MR evaluation of tetralogy of Fallot patients after surgical repair: relationship between aortic dilation and aortic regurgitation

Methods We retrospectively identified 97 consecutive patients with surgically corrected TOF and 26 controls without TOF or aortic or cardiac abnormalities who underwent cardiac MR evaluation. The ascending aortic diameter was measured at four levels and diameter ratios were calculated for morphologic characterization. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and aortic regurgitation were calculated from velocity-encoded cine data. Aortic size was compared between the TOF and control groups, as well as to population based data. The relationship between regurgitation and aortic imaging parameters was assessed.